Mitosis

Chapter 1: Introduction to Mitosis

• Mitosis is a type of cell division, resulting in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.
• It’s a crucial process for growth, repair and asexual reproduction in organisms.

Chapter 2: Stages of Mitosis

• Interphase: Not strictly part of mitosis, but this is the period where the cell carries out normal functions and also prepares for division. The DNA is replicated, resulting in two copies of each chromosome.
• Prophase: The first stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense, and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
• Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the equator of the cell and they become attached to the spindle fibres at the centromere (the mid-point of each chromosome).
• Anaphase: The sister chromatids are twitched apart and moved towards opposite poles of the cell.
• Telophase: Two new nuclear envelopes form around the chromosomes at each pole, and the chromosomes start to uncoil.
• Cytokinesis: Division of cytoplasm occurs, leading to formation of two identical daughter cells.

Chapter 3: Importance of Mitosis

• Mitosis ensures genetic stability by creating genetically identical cells for growth and repair of damaged tissues.
• Asexual reproduction by organisms like bacteria, fungi, and some plants is also facilitated by Mitosis.

Chapter 4: Control of Mitosis

• The process of mitosis is controlled by a variety of cell cycle checkpoint proteins.
• Faults in these controls can result in cells dividing uncontrollably, leading to tumours or cancer.

Chapter 5: Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis

• Contrary to mitosis, meiosis generates non-identical daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, contributing to genetic diversity.
• Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction, while mitosis is crucial for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.